Universal Century Gundam: Watching Order

The Universal Century timeline is the heart of the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise. It's the main timeline, initially the only one, from its 1979 debut until 1994's Mobile Fighter G Gundam. While other timelines exist—Gundam SEED, Gundam 00, and The Witch from Mercury, for instance—the franchise repeatedly returns to this one.

Veteran Gundam fans strongly recommend exploring the Universal Century. Expect a complex socio-political narrative featuring iconic characters and mecha designs perfect for Gunpla enthusiasts. We've compiled a chronological viewing order for the UC Gundam series.

Universal Century Timeline: Complete Chronological Order

This is a challenging undertaking; finding everything might prove difficult. However, for a complete canonical Universal Century experience, this is the path.

Note that several entries shift within their timelines. We've placed them at their earliest story point for clarity.

Due to the sheer volume of content in 0079, we've taken some liberties with the precise order. Feedback is welcome.

Title	In-Universe Year	Release Year(s)	Category	Notes
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin	0068	2015-2018 (OVAs); 2019 (anime series)	OVA series, followed by 13-episode adaptation	Includes portions set near and during the One Year War (0079).
Mobile Suit Gundam: MS IGLOO	0079	2004-2008	OVA series	-
Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team	0079	1996-1999	OVA series	-
Mobile Suit Gundam: Thunderbolt	0079	2015-2017	OVA series; also compiled into two feature films	-
Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance	0079	2024	Six-episode series	-
Mobile Suit Gundam	0079	1979-1980 (anime series); 1981-1982 (films)	43-episode series, followed by feature film trilogy	The original series.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island	0079	2022	Feature film	A reimagining of the original show's infamous 15th episode.
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket	0080	1989	OVA series	-
Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory	0083	1991	OVA series	-
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam	0087	1985-1986	50-episode series, also compiled into three feature films	-
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ	0088	1986-1987	47-episode series	Currently undubbed.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack	0093	1993	Feature film	-
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn	0096	2007-2009 (core manga); 2016 (extra volume); 2010-2014 (OVA series); 2016 (anime series)	Manga, adapted into an OVA series, and a 22-episode anime series	The seven-episode OVA series is arguably superior.
Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative	0097	2018	Feature film	Based on Unicorn's 2016 manga extra volume, Phoenix Hunting.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash	0105	1989-1990 (light novels); 2020-present (manga); 2021-present (film trilogy)	Originally light novels; adapted into manga and a film trilogy	The novels are recommended due to delays in the film trilogy.
Mobile Suit Gundam F91	0123	1991	Feature film	Originally planned as an anime series.
Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam	0123-0169	1994-present	Several manga sub-series	Continuation of F91, with multiple continuations. Dust and X-11 are set 16 years after Victory Gundam.
Mobile Suit Victory Gundam	0153	1993-1994	51-episode anime series	The last definitive Universal Century anime series.
G-Saviour	0223	2000	Feature film	Generally considered poor and largely disconnected from the timeline.
Gundam Reconguista in G	1,014 (RC)	2014-2015 (anime series); 2019-2022 (film series); 2014-2019 and on hiatus (manga)	26-episode anime series, manga, and five-film adaptation	Set over a millennium after the Universal Century. Loose connections exist.

Universal Century Timeline: Condensed "Essential" Viewing

A more streamlined approach focuses on the "essential" Universal Century stories. This doesn't diminish the omitted content; some are excellent (like Crossbone Gundam), but this list prioritizes the "vital" narratives.

Title	Rationale
Mobile Suit Gundam	Main series; consider the film trilogy instead.
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket	Excellent, but optional, spin-off.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam	Main series.
Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ	Main series.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack	Concludes the storylines of MSG, Zeta, and ZZ.
Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn	Arguably main series.
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway	Crucial follow-up to Char's Counterattack and Unicorn.

If Mobile Suit Gundam proves challenging, try the film trilogy first. The original series shows its age, while the films remain strong and offer a more complete final mission. The series provides richer character development.

0080 is included due to personal preference, but isn't strictly necessary.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX

The name itself is somewhat placeholder. The film compilation of the first three episodes clarifies this.

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX has direct Universal Century connections, despite appearing separate.

Premiering April 8th, 2025, it depicts an alternate One Year War. Therefore, it's not part of the main timeline, but it is Universal Century and deserves its own section.

Set five years after an alternate One Year War conclusion (0085), it's safe to assume post-Mobile Suit Gundam events don't occur in this universe. Divergences begin early in GQuuuuuuX's depiction of the original's opening events.

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